Back to the Woods

One of the better Stooge films. The portrayal of Native Americans is less than PC, but if you bear in mind the period in which the film was made, you'll enjoy it.

The premise is that the Stooges are petty thieves, exiled by the British government to colonial America, where they must hunt for food against the edicts of Chief Rain In The Puss. Eventually the hunters are the hunted, as the Chief's warriors attack our heroes. Can the three knuckleheads escape certain death? See for yourself.

Highlights include Curly's commentary of an imaginary horserace, the boys' rendition of "A-Hunting We Must Goeth" with a soulful piece of scat by Larry, an extremely violent dance, and Curly's surprisingly athletic display of the martial arts.

The social commentary is a bit dated, but otherwise a fine film!

In The Three Stooges' May 1937 "Back to the Woods," the three travel in time even further back then the Old West when they're convicted for crimes in England that sends them to the Massachusetts Colony in Plymouth. The native Indians in the area have prohibited the settlers from hunting for game at any time. The Stooges' tussle with the tribesmen result in some hilarious hijinx that result in a wild goose chase. This 23rd episode of the Stooges was the last film directed by Jack White, a.k.a. Preston Black, who was with the trio after two years. He went on to become a full-time producer and writer. "Back to the Woods" is also the second longest Stooges' film at 19 minutes and 27 seconds, just 20 seconds short of their longest, 1936's "A Pain in the Pullman."

"Back in the Woods" is known for showing the first example of an 'Alexa' audio device. When the Stooges first arrive at Plymouth, they meet the three daughters of the colony's governor (Vernon Dent). Moe turns on his music box the size and shape of a large ice hockey puck to dance with the women. The irate governor enters the cabin and yells at the music box to stop, which it does. The film is also the first time stock footage is used in a Stooges' short film, as seen in the introduction showing a street scene in Old Towne London, England. "Back in the Woods" is also the first instance where they re-use footage from their earlier film. Towards the end of the movie, they dash onto a canoe while the Indians are in pursuit. With one paddle movement the boat jettisons across the lake. The scene was previously used in 1936's "Whoops, I'm an Indian." History records that when the Stooges caused all the mayhem against the Indians, Plymouth settlers were even worse off with its inability to hunt for food since the natives were agitated beyond belief by the three and were angrily looking for revenge.

My personal favorite Stooge short of all time. Back to the Woods has the boys sent to America as outlaw colonists where they stir up a nest of wild Indians and take care of them with a tree branch bow and arrow. Logs, fish, and bee hives are air borne and well you can go from there. Great goofs, sound effects, and Curley is at his best. An excellent early entry into the Stooge series.

Bottom Line: One of the Top 10 Stooges.

The Three Stooges has always been some of the many actors that I have loved. I love just about every one of the shorts that they have made. I love all six of the Stooges (Curly, Shemp, Moe, Larry, Joe, and Curly Joe)! All of the shorts are hilarious and also star many other great actors and actresses which a lot of them was in many of the shorts! In My opinion The Three Stooges is some of the greatest actors ever and is the all time funniest comedy team!

This is one of My favorite Three Stooges shorts with Curly! All Appearing in this short are Vernon Dent, Charles Dorety, Bud Jamison, Ethelreda Leopold, Theodore Lorch, Cy Schindell, Blackie Whiteford, Harley Wood, and Bert Young! This one is so hilarious! Curly has a great performance here and in My opinion its one of his best. I strongly recommend this Three Stooges short!

Working under the pseudonym of 'Preston Black' as the story goes, to keep his ex-wife out of the loop on his extra income, Jack White (brother of Jules) directs his last stooge short. Unfortunately, it's a rather long-winded effort, harboring on the below average scale. A pity, considering I find all of "Preston's" previous outings to all be stooge classics (i.e. Disorder in the Court/A Pain in the Pullman).

The biggest laughs to be had come from the dancing sequence the boys have with three sweeties named Hope, Faith, and Charity.

5.5/10

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